Causes of Sjögren's syndrome

Sjögren's syndrome is caused by the immune system – the body's defence against illness – damaging healthy parts of the body. This is what's known as an autoimmune condition.

The bits of the body usually affected are those that produce fluids like tears and saliva. But other parts of the body, such as nerves and joints, can also be affected.

It's not clear why the immune system stops working properly. It may be linked to:

genetics – some people may be born with genes that make them more likely to get an autoimmune condition

hormones – the female hormone oestrogen may play a part, as the condition is much more common in women than men

Sjögren's syndrome can occur with other autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. This is known as secondary Sjögren's syndrome. Primary Sjögren's syndrome is where you don't have any other related conditions.

Living with Sjögren's syndrome

Sjögren's syndrome is a long-term condition that doesn't tend to get better on its own, although the symptoms can often be treated.

For some people the condition may just be a bit of a nuisance, while for others it can have a big impact on their everyday life.